How can you manage disruptive or challenging behaviors?

I feel that you need to be understanding of differences and how to adapt to behavior kids. There are rules and consequences, but there are also kids who have trauma or emotional issues where you will need to differentiate for their needs.

In my experience, some children are unable to understand any amount of written and/or verbal instruction to begin with whether due to a learning disability or lack of understanding for another reason. In these situations, the single most important thing you can do for them is to model what you want to see and no matter what, continue to model the appropriate responses. When able, give little to no attention to what isn’t the desired response or behavior and bring a great deal of verbal attention through positive reinforcement for those behaviors that are being mimicked and done well. Over time, this strategy will shape the classroom to become successful like the originally modeled behavior you began with.

Posting your expectations for classroom behavior is an antiquated strategy with minimal impact especially for challenging behaviors. First, you have to understand that behavior, even inappropriate, is a form of communication. What’s the function of the behavior? Instead of a list of rules, discuss the functions of behavior. Give examples and have students give examples and decide on acceptable replacement behavior. “You may become sad, embarrassed, or frustrated because you don’t understand an assignment. What do you think that looks like? (Ripping up paper, crying, refusal) When that happens instead of using these inappropriate behaviors to communicate that to me, I want you to flip your character card to yellow and I will come help.”

Managing disruptive or challenging behaviors involves a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, establishing clear expectations and consistent consequences is crucial. Additionally, fostering positive relationships with students, providing engaging lessons, and implementing proactive strategies, such as differentiated instruction, can help prevent disruptive behaviors. Moreover, addressing underlying issues through open communication and collaboration with parents, colleagues, and support staff is key to creating a supportive learning environment.

Be consistent, hold the line. Understand that the behaviour is communicating something, find what that is and make the adjustments that are needed.

Use intrinsic motivation for positive reinforcement. Kids need to know how it feels to feel good, not that they get something because they did good. Teach kids to want to do good for you. establish relationships with them and all else will fall into place.

It is important to know that students have different expectations at home from student to student. Be understanding while also being clear of how we are expected to interact in the classroom. A lot of behaviors can be caused by sensory needs. For instance, having a fidget toy or a sensory chair available can drastically decrease disruptions. Providing a quite space for students who are overwhelmed is a good way to prevent an outburst before it starts. Remember, the way we react to these students says more about us than it does their behavior. Be understanding and caring first and foremost.

Sometimes you have a plan and then your plan fails. What works with one kid, doesn’t work for the next. Overplan, overplan, overplan. Learn how to improvise and think on the spot. Be fast, creative, and know its ok to FaIl.